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Dec. 9th, 2008 12:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
blodeueddAs I did not get a review out last night, here are two three movie reviews for the price of one, three movies that I watched on the way to and from France over Golden Week.
The Kite Runner:
(I wrote a review of the book, which I read in French, here. I don't feel like writing the story out again)
As far as book-to-movie adaptations, I think this one was rather succesful, though as a movie it had its weak points. With two major plot elements cut out (Hassan's hare-lip and the international adoption red tape), it was a much more manageable story, though the omission of the difficulties in getting Sohrab to the United States makes such an undertaking seem ridiculously easy, and also cut out quite a bit of Sohrab's character, as well as Amir's. While Sohrab certainly suffered enough at Assef's hands to emotionally scar him for life, the events in the book are even more heart-wrenching: while Amir wants nothing more than to try to make up, in any small way he can, for his past mistakes, his wish to do good backfires and he ends up hurting Sohrab even more. In the movie, it seems all too easy, the way Amir whisks Sohrab home.
Final verdict: 6.5/10
Charlie Wilson's War
One of the downsides to watching movies on a planes, aside from the small screen, is that the sound is atrocious. As we were experiencing turbulence while I watched this film, there were plenty of interruptions while the captain asked us to remain seated, as well as the usual noise of the engines. Even so, I don't think I missed much. It's a well-done movie, with good acting (Philip Seymour Hoffman is a treat to watch, as always), but it was nothing really memorable.
So back when the U.S.S.R. thought it would be a good idea to invade Afghanistan, the United States got involved. And we all know how the consequences of that are still playing out. Maybe because this is based on actual events, it's rather depressing to think that people were actually short-sighted enough to think that things could possibly end well for everyone. Or, they were just in it for themselves and didn't care much for the long-term effects on other people, continents away...
Final verdict: 7/10
I don't usually hate movies. I may find them dull, or idiotic, or badly written/acted/directed, but rarely do they make me seethe. This one did.
27 Dresses:
You know me, I don't usually watch romantic comedies, unless a) A-L makes me, b) it's a period piece, c) it's a lesbian or gay story, or d) I'm on a plane. Because what else is one to do on a long flight, except try to catch up with what people are watching these days? Let me assure you, just hearing the synopsis of this movie made me want to scratch its metaphorical eyes out. But once I was in my seat, perusing the movie selection, I thought, "I have a twelve-hour flight ahead of me. Surely it can't be that bad?"
OH YES IS CAN!
This movie is full of stupid, lame characters. What's even worse is that none of the actors has even a fraction of the charisma needed to make anyone care. The main character is a wedding-obsessed doormat. Her sister is a spoiled, whiny twit. Her boss, with whom she's in love, is a self-satisfied boor. The reporter (actually the only character I could kind of relate to) is a snarky ass who ultimately falls for Doormat, so what does that say about him? I know we're meant to feel sorry for Doormat, but seriously. Stand up for yourself for once!
Most appalingly of all, none of the actors are even attractive enough to sort of compensate for their lack of charisma. I mean, you could at least get a couple of hot actors, no? Even the sister, who has men falling all over her, I would barely rate as pretty. Then again, I find Barbie looks totally boring. As for the main actress, is she considered hot stuff? Because her nose is way too small for her face, which isn't that interesting to begin with.
My mother reserves her most scathing critique, insignifiant, for movies such as this, and I wish I could think of a proper English equivalent. It emcompasses that which is boring, self-important, annoying, a waste of time and space.
Final verdict: NO LOVE!!!
The Kite Runner:
(I wrote a review of the book, which I read in French, here. I don't feel like writing the story out again)
As far as book-to-movie adaptations, I think this one was rather succesful, though as a movie it had its weak points. With two major plot elements cut out (Hassan's hare-lip and the international adoption red tape), it was a much more manageable story, though the omission of the difficulties in getting Sohrab to the United States makes such an undertaking seem ridiculously easy, and also cut out quite a bit of Sohrab's character, as well as Amir's. While Sohrab certainly suffered enough at Assef's hands to emotionally scar him for life, the events in the book are even more heart-wrenching: while Amir wants nothing more than to try to make up, in any small way he can, for his past mistakes, his wish to do good backfires and he ends up hurting Sohrab even more. In the movie, it seems all too easy, the way Amir whisks Sohrab home.
Final verdict: 6.5/10
Charlie Wilson's War
One of the downsides to watching movies on a planes, aside from the small screen, is that the sound is atrocious. As we were experiencing turbulence while I watched this film, there were plenty of interruptions while the captain asked us to remain seated, as well as the usual noise of the engines. Even so, I don't think I missed much. It's a well-done movie, with good acting (Philip Seymour Hoffman is a treat to watch, as always), but it was nothing really memorable.
So back when the U.S.S.R. thought it would be a good idea to invade Afghanistan, the United States got involved. And we all know how the consequences of that are still playing out. Maybe because this is based on actual events, it's rather depressing to think that people were actually short-sighted enough to think that things could possibly end well for everyone. Or, they were just in it for themselves and didn't care much for the long-term effects on other people, continents away...
Final verdict: 7/10
I don't usually hate movies. I may find them dull, or idiotic, or badly written/acted/directed, but rarely do they make me seethe. This one did.
27 Dresses:
You know me, I don't usually watch romantic comedies, unless a) A-L makes me, b) it's a period piece, c) it's a lesbian or gay story, or d) I'm on a plane. Because what else is one to do on a long flight, except try to catch up with what people are watching these days? Let me assure you, just hearing the synopsis of this movie made me want to scratch its metaphorical eyes out. But once I was in my seat, perusing the movie selection, I thought, "I have a twelve-hour flight ahead of me. Surely it can't be that bad?"
OH YES IS CAN!
This movie is full of stupid, lame characters. What's even worse is that none of the actors has even a fraction of the charisma needed to make anyone care. The main character is a wedding-obsessed doormat. Her sister is a spoiled, whiny twit. Her boss, with whom she's in love, is a self-satisfied boor. The reporter (actually the only character I could kind of relate to) is a snarky ass who ultimately falls for Doormat, so what does that say about him? I know we're meant to feel sorry for Doormat, but seriously. Stand up for yourself for once!
Most appalingly of all, none of the actors are even attractive enough to sort of compensate for their lack of charisma. I mean, you could at least get a couple of hot actors, no? Even the sister, who has men falling all over her, I would barely rate as pretty. Then again, I find Barbie looks totally boring. As for the main actress, is she considered hot stuff? Because her nose is way too small for her face, which isn't that interesting to begin with.
My mother reserves her most scathing critique, insignifiant, for movies such as this, and I wish I could think of a proper English equivalent. It emcompasses that which is boring, self-important, annoying, a waste of time and space.
Final verdict: NO LOVE!!!
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Date: 2008-12-09 06:13 am (UTC)My favourite part of the movie is the bitch friend. She makes me happy and I want to be like her. :D
But, yeah. I actually enjoy a GOOD romantic comedy once in a while, and can be very picky about them. Ever since writing one for school though, I realized why the main females all suck, and the way I watched them completely changed.
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